Heralds Digest

“Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:34-35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.7.34-35.nkjv Trust and confidence in relationships are built on experiences of result-oriented engagements. Those who have struggled to produce results in their life’s professional, career, family, academic engagements know pretty well the trauma of living with disrespect. When Jesus was requested to put His hands on the dumb and deaf man, He knew the expectation of the multitude is not limited to just a casual touch and laboratory experimentation with no tangible change in the plight of the deprived man. Yet, Jesus conducted the physical experiment apparently because that was the only window that connect with the lively sense of the anxious man in need of faith to believe. Human engagements in life’s projects at home, workplaces and in...

“And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.” Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:28-29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.7.28-29.nkjv The concept of predestination appears to build its confidence in a flesh-based fellowship or relationship. When Jesus said to the Syro-Phoenician woman “Let the children be filled first...”, He apparently tested her possible conviction on the fact that the fate of everyone in life has been pre-destined; or depend ultimately on his background and family affiliation. Obviously, privileges and opportunities in life are not evenly distributed. But while many people are easily discouraged at any given exposure to unfair treatment in life, the courage of this woman teaches that fruitful fellowship will readily nullify the concept of predestination. Little wonder that Jesus said “For this saying go your way; th...

“So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:18-19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.7.18-19.nkjv The sacredness of the heart for undiluted fellowship with God is emphasized in the Master’s response to the disciples. While the Scribes and the Pharisees put the sacred emphasis on what the body consumes, they released their hearts to entertain divers fellowship vice like evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. It is instructive to note that God is equally concerned about the quality of what the body consumes; but a flamboyant body hygiene at the expense of the sacredness of the heart for fellowship with God is condemned. Anyone can afford to shift blame for what come...

“Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭6:56‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.6.56.nkjv Advances in touch technology have resolved several cyber security problems, including authentication, logistics, informatics, encryption, etc. Even diagnosis, screening and drug delivery for medical treatment of diseases have benefited from the technological advancement towards the design of medical devices. Whereas, divine healing do not need these medical devices and drug delivery, the management of the multitude in need divine healing in the days preceding the era of touch technology employed the same wisdom. Instead of carrying the sick one after the other to interface with Jesus, the multitude of the sick were dropped at the marketplace. Then, those who have the access of touching the helm of Jesus’ garment ...

“Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭6:51-52‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.6.51-52.nkjv The reaction of the disciples at the site of Jesus walking on the sea demonstrated the limit of human capacity towards comprehending the ways and works of God. While the disciples were struggling to understand the miracle of feeding five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, Jesus was seen walking on the sea. In times of such overwhelming overload, it is not strange that the disciples could not even pray for help against the tossing of their boat by the troubling wind. Notwithstanding, Jesus answered the unsaid prayer by stepping into the boat. Obviously, when the heart is overwhelmed by the wonderful ways and works of God, instead of the weary ways and wickedness of men, God steps into the boat...

“And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭6:41‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.6.41.nkjv Looking up without a sizeable gaze on the return of investment, favour, and personal savings, especially at the moments of needs is difficult. It will take the psalmist’s conviction for anyone to accept that true and sustainable help comes from the hill (the Lord, and the Creator of heaven and the earth). Why did Jesus looked up to heaven and then blessed the bread before breaking them? Sometimes, it is difficult to understand the carnal concern of offering blessing over the surplus supply of meals. Whereas, the major privilege from the season of scarcity is the sincerity of seeking divine intervention over the challenges of life. Therefore, Jesus looked up to heaven to show anyone the benefits of looking nowhere oth...

“But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭6:37‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.6.37.nkjv The miracle of Jesus feeding Five Thousands men with five loaves of bread and two fishes teaches that little is much when God is in it. Actually without Jesus, ‘something’ would have been ‘nothing’. And this is always the concern of those who look within themselves as the sole suppliers of the necessity in life. While struggling to meet the insatiable needs of self and their dependants, it is always difficult to see the needs of others. At best and like the concerned disciples, the most dispassionate response is always “Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat”. Whereas, ‘something’ with Jesus doesn’t cost what Is not available; and may simply be the ears...